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Personality, 9-9-09, 2
Personality & health: Methodology
“Nomological net” – based research
Antecedents• Origins• Context• Moderators(?)• Developmental
trajectory• Neurological basis
Antecedents• Origins• Context• Moderators(?)• Developmental
trajectory• Neurological basis
Construct• Core assumptions
• Stability• Generality
• Validity• Discriminant• Convergent• Correspondence to
known neuroψ process
• Mediators• “Boundary
conditions”• Assessment
Construct• Core assumptions
• Stability• Generality
• Validity• Discriminant• Convergent• Correspondence to
known neuroψ process
• Mediators• “Boundary
conditions”• Assessment
Consequences• Direct v. indirect
• “Main effects”• Stress –
vulnerability• Biomedical v.
behavioral• 2nd mediators
• Social-cognitive processes
• Ancillary behaviorsSupportconflict
Consequences• Direct v. indirect
• “Main effects”• Stress –
vulnerability• Biomedical v.
behavioral• 2nd mediators
• Social-cognitive processes
• Ancillary behaviorsSupportconflict
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Methods: outcomes & processes
de Wit (2009): Illustration of integrated processes, outcomes & operational definitions
(By population: ADHD for “waiting turn”, alcoholics for “resisting drink”)
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Methodology, 2
Trait correlations v. mediating research:
“What” Type A / hostility CHD risk in non-ill samples
Optimism speed of recovery from breast cancer
“How”
Type A alcohol & drugs / smoking + cardio vascular reactivity / HPA activation inflammation
Optimism Instrumental coping, lower basal arousal
Contextual variables: moderating research Gender effects (x cultural expectancies)
Race / ethnicity
Other minority status’: Sexual orientation and personality development, stress responses
SES.
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Methods, 3 Core potential circularity in personality
explanations:
Behavioral consistency is basis for trait ascription, and then serves as explanation of that same consistency:
how do you know someone is “warm”?
Core limitation in personality research:
Diverse measures of personality traits
Self-report measures of personaltiy
Self-report measures of health bias in health reports may reflect of personality constructs! (stoicism, neuroticism…)
Lack of construct validity studies
Cross sectional research designs
“Shotgun” / non-hypothesis based approaches to personality prediction
E.g., Taylor paper & iteration through 5 factor model
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Basic conceptual frameworks
Personality Trait Conception
Social – Cognitive Perspective
Behavioral Consistency
Broad traits• “Type A” / “hardiness”
Big 5…
Social / cognitive processes
•Attitudes & expectancies
•Self-schema
Outcomes
• Biomedical processes
• Health behaviors
• Health status
Social / cognitive processes
• Outcome & efficacy expectancies
• Self-schema, attitudes
• Choice of social environments
• Structure of social interactions
Behavioral Consistency
• Reinforcement & increasing stability of social – cognitive processes
Outcomes
• Biomedical processes
• Health behaviors
• Health status
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Social-cognitive + personality famework:
“Personality”-based consistency in social – cognitive processes
Sarason: Within-Ss consistency in social support
Self-esteem self-efficacy
BIS / BAS approach v. avoidant coping (see Amodio paper)
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Biologically based models
Approach v. avoidance
Behavioral inhibition system (BIS) v. Behavioral activation system (BAS)
Introversion v. extroversion (v. neuroticism) [Esynck]
Korte: “Hawks” v. “Doves” in coping with allostatic load (stress).
Controlled v. automatic processing
Impulsivity, sensation seeking, “thrill seeking” Developmentally early “Prepotent” response
PFC / “executive functioning”: self regulation Developmentally (& temporally) late Language dependent (?) Disposition toward effortful cognitive control (?)
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Personality, 9-9-09, 9
Personality health approaches
General mediating / heuristic model of personality effects on health
PersonalityPersonality
Health Behaviors
Health Behaviors
“Appraisal”: Stress & coping
“Appraisal”: Stress & coping
Selective approach of
social contexts
Selective approach of
social contexts
Biomedical processes Outcomes
Biomedical processes Outcomes
Physiological reactivity
Physiological reactivity
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Potential mental health mediators
PersonalityPersonalityBiomedical
processes Outcomes
Biomedical processes Outcomes
Health Behaviors
Health Behaviors
“Appraisal”: Stress & coping
“Appraisal”: Stress & coping
Selective approach of
social contexts
Selective approach of
social contexts
Physiological reactivity
Physiological reactivity
Negative affect
Negative affect
Depression, “illness
behavior”
Depression, “illness
behavior”
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Potential mental health mediators, 2
PersonalityPersonalityBiomedical
processes Outcomes
Biomedical processes Outcomes
Health Behaviors
Health Behaviors
“Appraisal”: Stress & coping
“Appraisal”: Stress & coping
Selective approach of
social contexts
Selective approach of
social contexts
Physiological reactivity
Physiological reactivity
Negative affect
Negative affect
Depression, “illness
behavior”
Depression, “illness
behavior”
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Personality, 9-9-09, 12
Personality health approaches:Personality constructs
PersonalityPersonality
Health Behaviors
Health Behaviors
“Appraisal”: Stress & coping
“Appraisal”: Stress & coping
Selective approach of
social contexts
Selective approach of
social contexts
Biomedical processes Outcomes
Biomedical processes Outcomes
Physiological reactivity
Physiological reactivity
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Personality constructs
Type A Personality
Externalizing anger & hostility
Striving & dominance
Time urgency
Negative affectivity / Neuroticism
Watson & Clark, 1984: low construct validity of affect subscales
Anxiety, dysphoria / depression, alienation, loneliness, self-esteem…
Differentiation from clinical depression?
Threshold for Rx v. chronic state
Differentiation of NA from PA (?)
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Personality constructs
Coping styles
Approach v. avoidant
“BIS” / “BAS”
“Self-monitorer” v. “Blunter”
Affective v. instrumental
Impulsivity
Effortful control / “Need for control”
Optimism Carver & Schier, Seligman: LOT – R
Differentiation from: Neuroticism, NA / PA, pessimism
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LOT - R Please be as honest and accurate as you can throughout. Try not to let
your response to one statement influence your responses to other statements. There are no "correct" or "incorrect" answers. Answer according to your own feelings, rather than how you think "most people" would answer.
1. In uncertain times, I usually expect the best.
[2. It's easy for me to relax.]
3. If something can go wrong for me, it will.
4. I'm always optimistic about my future.
[5. I enjoy my friends a lot.]
[6. It's important for me to keep busy.]
7. I hardly ever expect things to go my way.
[8. I don't get upset too easily.]
9. I rarely count on good things happening to me.
10. Overall, I expect more good things to happen to me than bad.
A = I agree a lot B = I agree a little C = I neither agree nor disagree D = I DISagree a little E = I DISagree a lot
A = I agree a lot B = I agree a little C = I neither agree nor disagree D = I DISagree a little E = I DISagree a lot
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Personality, 9-9-09, 16
Big 5 model
Openness to experience Intelligence? Tolerance for ambiguity? Sensation seeking?
Conscientiousness Impulse control “Need for control” “Perfectionism” Perspective taking
Introversion Extraversion Sensation seeking
BIS / BAS disposition
Sociability
Optimism?
Agreeableness Intelligence? Tolerance for ambiguity? Sensation seeking? Effortful cognitive control
Neuroticism Trait anxiety “Threat sensitivity” Avoidance
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Big 5 model
Openness to experience Intelligence? Tolerance for ambiguity? Sensation seeking?
Conscientiousness Impulse control “Need for control” “Perfectionism” Perspective taking
Introversion Extraversion Sensation seeking
BIS / BAS disposition
Sociability
Optimism?
Agreeableness Intelligence? Tolerance for ambiguity? Sensation seeking? Effortful cognitive control
Neuroticism Trait anxiety “Threat sensitivity” Avoidance
Hans Eysenck’s model•Highly stable x time & context•Strong predictor of misc. social behaviors
Hans Eysenck’s model•Highly stable x time & context•Strong predictor of misc. social behaviors
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Big 5 model
Openness to experience Intelligence? Tolerance for ambiguity? Sensation seeking?
Conscientiousness Impulse control “Need for control” “Perfectionism” Perspective taking
Introversion Extraversion Sensation seeking
BIS / BAS disposition
Sociability
Optimism?
Agreeableness Intelligence? Tolerance for ambiguity? Sensation seeking? Effortful cognitive control
Neuroticism Trait anxiety “Threat sensitivity” Avoidance
Strong associations with health behaviors & outcomes
Strong associations with health behaviors & outcomes
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Grande 5
2009
2010
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PersonalityPersonality
Health Behaviors
Health Behaviors
“Appraisal”: Stress & coping
“Appraisal”: Stress & coping
Selective approach of
social contexts
Selective approach of
social contexts
Biomedical processes Outcomes
Biomedical processes Outcomes
Physiological reactivity
Physiological reactivity
Personality health approaches:Health behaviors
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Health behaviors
Alcohol or drug use
Smoking
Health precautionary behaviors
Exercise
Diet
Social support acquisition / social isolation
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PersonalityPersonality
Health Behaviors
Health Behaviors
“Appraisal”: Stress & coping
“Appraisal”: Stress & coping
Selective approach of
social contexts
Selective approach of
social contexts
Biomedical processes Outcomes
Biomedical processes Outcomes
Physiological reactivity
Physiological reactivity
Personality health approaches:Appraisal & coping
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Appraisal & coping: Stress Taylor: Allostatic load
(Perceived) Demands exceed (perceived) capacity
Limited coping resources
Key distinctions:
Acute v. chronic
Controllable v. non-controllable
Cohen: Threat & affect Perceived threat
Personal susceptibility / vulnerability
Outcome expectancies
Efficacy expectancies
Perceived harm
Perceived loss
Stress component
Approach context
Avoidance context
ThreatFrustration,
angerFear, anxiety
Harm Anger Discomfort, pain
LossSadness,
shame?
Key assessment issue:“Objective” v. perceived stress
Key assessment issue:“Objective” v. perceived stress
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Affective (emotion-focused) v. instrumental (problem-focused)
Short-term, abstract / high-level v. concrete, longer-term
Strong effect of efficacy & outcome expectancies
Approach (engagement) v. avoidant (disengagement) Overlaps with emotion problem focused coping
Goal pursuit goal abandonment
Governs effect of coping behaviors:
Coping models, 1
Coping behavior Approach motive Avoidance motive
Seek social support
• Instrumental assistance•Emotional support
• Distraction,• Emotional solace
Information seeking
•Problem solving• Downward
comparisons
Religious or spiritual
•Restore resolve•Emotional support
•Fatalism•Avoidance
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Accommodation v. Meaning Changing / abandoning goals
Accommodating to.. negative affect
diminished capacity
Searching for meaning
“Transforming” to new life approach
Finding controllable actions Tailor: cancer survival
Rodin: geriatric morbidity
“Negative” coping
Coping models, 2
“Positive” coping
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Coping models, 3
Cognitive escape v. self-awareness / self-monitoring “Automatic”, affective v. controlled responding
“Problem” behaviors as escape strategies
Escape as context for risk / “problem” behaviors Substance use
High sensation activities
Driven by, e.g., •Low self-efficacy / generalized self-esteem•High negative affectivity•High impulsivity (?)
Driven by, e.g., •Low self-efficacy / generalized self-esteem•High negative affectivity•High impulsivity (?)
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Coping models, 4
Key potential interactions “John Henryism” among African-Americans
Active coping style + limited resources
Age / gender differences:
Stressors
Socially “sanctioned” coping styles
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PersonalityPersonality
Health Behaviors
Health Behaviors
“Appraisal”: Stress & coping
“Appraisal”: Stress & coping
Selective approach of
social contexts
Selective approach of
social contexts
Biomedical processes Outcomes
Biomedical processes Outcomes
Physiological reactivity
Physiological reactivity
Personality health approaches:Social behavior
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Approach of social contexts
Support garnering
Conflict engendering
E.g., “paranoid personality style” (Lemert)
Exposure to stressful environments
Exposure to risk environments
Peer selection
Neuroticism approach of
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Personality coping styles
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Personality coping styles:Type of stress as a moderator
“Dispositional optimism” is associated with less avoidant coping
Effect is moderated by type of stress
Academic
Health
Optimism not associated with approach coping
Not trauma
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PersonalityPersonality
Health Behaviors
Health Behaviors
“Appraisal”: Stress & coping
“Appraisal”: Stress & coping
Selective approach of
social contexts
Selective approach of
social contexts
Biomedical processes Outcomes
Biomedical processes Outcomes
Physiological reactivity
Physiological reactivity
Personality health approaches:Reactivity
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Physiological reactivity
Hypothalamic / pituitary / adrenal [HPA] axis
Heart rate
Bp
Cortisol / catecholamines
Pro-inflammatory cytokines
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Personality effects: moderating & mediating variables
Taylor: simultaneous mediating & moderating effects surrounding Big 5 factors Mortality
Figure 5. Structural equation model to show the relationships between NEO-FFI conscientiousness and other risk factors on all-cause mortality in men (N 652). All of the parameters were statistically significant. Coefficients placed beside arrows may be squared to give the percentage of variance shared by adjacent variables.
Figure 6. Structural equation model to show the relationships between NEO-FFI openness and other risk factors on all-cause mortality in men (N 652). All of the parameters were statistically significant. Coefficients placed beside arrows may be squared to give the percentage of variance shared by adjacent variables.
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Crawford et al. (2003):
Consistent with a “cognitive escape” model, lessened concern over HIV mediates the effect of SS on risk.
Personality effects: moderating & mediating variables, 2
Sensation seeking
Sensation seeking
Lessened concern
Lessened concern
Sexual riskSexual risk
Relationship status moderates the effect of lessened concern HIV risk.
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Some general notes on personality approaches
Utility to translate into more practical applications.
Are core personality constructs changeable?
Is stability a defining characteristic?
If so, how is personality research applicable?
Does a general shift, e.g., in “well being” translate into actual health behavior later.
Intersection of (more transient) affect with stable personality variables: Melissa Cyder, U Kentucky
Tendency to act rashly (risky sexual behavior, alcohol abuse) exacerbated by intense negative and positive mood.
Positive urgency, liked with a specific genetic polymorphism, prospectively predicts increases in the quantity of alcohol consumed per occasion
Sensation seeking only predicts increases in drinking frequency - taking on a more global role.
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Notes, 2
Important aspect of addiction research in general is a lack of clearly defined terms.
de Wit: impulsivity not defined consistently across studies
Also true of the term "addiction“:
Translation of addiction -like constructs into, e.g.,
Internet
Sex
Exercise …
BIS / BAS model is changing:
shifting from looking at behavioral outcomes
to broader cognitive and self-regulatory processes.
What does BIS / BAS actually capture?
Pinball?
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Context of personality effects?
Context-dependency and its role in personality behavior linkages
focusing on broad links between personality and health behavior is missing a fundamental, more exogenous, component: social context.
Yanovitzky (2005):
Sensation seeking
Sensation seeking
“Deviant” peers
“Deviant” peers
Bad behavior
Bad behavior
~ Crawford and my findings re: ψ context (mediator)…
Sensation seeking
Sensation seeking
Lessened concern
Lessened concern
Sexual riskSexual risk
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